# Arlington VA Neighborhoods: A Local's Guide to Every Part of the City
Arlington isn't a city with one or two standout neighborhoods and a lot of filler. The whole place is good. The real question is: which part of Arlington is right for you?
I've lived here for 30 years. I've helped buyers find homes in Clarendon, Lyon Village, Shirlington, Ballston, and everywhere in between. Here's what I actually tell people when they ask me: "Just tell me where to look."
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How Arlington Is Organized
Arlington County covers 26 square miles — all of it technically urban, none of it a suburb in the sprawl sense. Most people loosely divide it into North Arlington and South Arlington, with the geographic line running roughly along Arlington Boulevard (Route 50).
North Arlington is older, leafier, more residential. Think large single-family homes, deep lots, established tree canopy, and schools that consistently rank among Virginia's best. It's where Candee has lived for three decades. Prices reflect the demand.
South Arlington is where the energy is. More mixed use, more walkable, more affordable (relatively), and much more of a live-work-play environment. The Orange/Silver/Blue Metro line cuts right through the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, which reshapes everything about how people live there.
Neither is better. They're different, and most buyers know pretty quickly which one fits their life. Families, professionals, empty nesters, and first-time buyers live throughout both halves of the county — the divide is about housing stock and lifestyle, not who belongs where.
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North Arlington Neighborhoods
Lyon Village
If there's a neighborhood that defines North Arlington for people who grew up here, it's Lyon Village. Craftsman bungalows and colonial revivals on wide lots, tree-lined streets, and a genuine block-party culture. Most homes are within walking distance of Clarendon's restaurants and shops, but you're in a quiet residential pocket once you cross the main drag.
Who buys here: Families who want the best of both worlds — walkability and a proper yard. Professionals relocating from DC who want more space without losing Metro proximity.
Schools: Feeds into Taylor Elementary (one of North Arlington's strongest), Dorothy Hamm Middle, and Washington-Liberty High School.
Price reality: Lyon Village is not a bargain find. Expect $1.3M–$2.5M+ for single-family homes, depending on size and condition.
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North Arlington / Waverly Hills / Tara-Leeway Heights
This cluster of neighborhoods just west of Lyon Village offers some of the most sought-after real estate in all of Northern Virginia. Larger lots, quieter streets, and the kind of community feel where neighbors know each other by name.
Who buys here: Established families, move-up buyers, people who want space without leaving Arlington. Empty nesters who have lived here 20 years and aren't going anywhere.
Schools: Primarily feeds Jamestown Elementary, Williamsburg Middle, and Yorktown High School — the other top-performing cluster in Arlington Public Schools.
Price reality: Median in the $1.4M–$2.2M range. New construction and teardown-rebuilds push higher.
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Cherrydale
Just north of Ballston, Cherrydale has evolved quietly into one of the more appealing buy-in points for North Arlington. You get the North Arlington school feeders at a slightly lower entry price than Lyon Village or Waycroft-Woodlawn.
Who buys here: First-time move-up buyers, families priced out of Lyon Village, buyers who prioritize the APS school system.
Price reality: More accessible — single-family homes in the $900K–$1.4M range with more flexibility.
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The Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor (Metro Spine)
This is the corridor that transformed Arlington from bedroom community to urban destination. The Orange/Silver/Blue Metro line runs from Rosslyn through Court House, Clarendon, Virginia Square, and Ballston — five stops in about 4.5 miles, each with its own distinct personality.
Rosslyn
The western edge of DC, essentially. Glass towers, embassy row proximity, and sweeping views of the Potomac. Mostly condos and apartment buildings. High commuter density, less neighborhood feel.
Who buys here: Young professionals, DC government workers, people who prioritize Metro proximity above everything else. Also foreign service and diplomats.
Court House
The quieter, more residential station between Rosslyn and Clarendon. Court House has the Arlington government complex and the county's main courthouse, but the surrounding streets are mix of condo buildings and older walkups.
Who buys here: Young professionals and couples who want Metro access but can't afford Clarendon pricing yet.
Clarendon
Clarendon is Arlington's most energetic neighborhood. Bars, restaurants, the weekend farmers market at Lyon Park, the Whole Foods, the boutiques. If you're in your late 20s or early 30s and moving to Arlington, Clarendon is usually the answer.
Who buys here: Young professionals, couples without kids, remote workers who want to walk to coffee. Also empty nesters who want walkable dining and culture.
Price reality: Condos start in the $400s. Townhouses range $800K–$1.3M. Single-family homes are rare and expensive when they appear.
Virginia Square
The transition zone between Clarendon and Ballston. Slightly calmer, slightly more affordable. Home to Marymount University and a number of newer condo and apartment towers.
Ballston
Amazon's HQ2 at National Landing changed the gravity of South Arlington, but Ballston was already a destination. The Ballston Quarter mall anchors a neighborhood that's grown significantly denser in the last decade. Ballston Common offers everything walkable; the residential streets to the north are quieter.
Who buys here: Young professionals, young families who want Metro access, buyers in the $450K–$900K condo/townhouse range.
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South Arlington Neighborhoods
Shirlington
Technically the southern end of Arlington, Shirlington feels almost like a village — in the best way. A pedestrian-oriented commercial strip with restaurants, a theater, and the popular W&OD trail running right through. Dog-friendly, walkable, and noticeably more affordable than North Arlington or the Metro corridor.
Who buys here: Young professionals, active adults, buyers who prioritize walkable lifestyle amenities. Dog owners who want immediate trail access.
Price reality: Townhouses and condos start in the mid-$400s. Single-family homes in the $700K–$1M range.
Aurora Highlands / Arlington Ridge
Quiet, established neighborhoods south of Columbia Pike. Less flashy than the corridor, more affordable, and increasingly popular with buyers who can't afford the price premiums elsewhere but want to stay in Arlington.
Who buys here: Value-oriented buyers, first-time buyers, people who commute to the Pentagon or Amazon HQ2 at National Landing.
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How to Use This Guide
Most buyers I work with narrow it down to 2–3 neighborhoods once they understand the tradeoffs. North Arlington for top schools and established community feel. The corridor for walkability and Metro convenience. South Arlington for value and lifestyle amenities.
None of these neighborhoods are wrong choices. But they're different enough that where you land should match how you actually live — not just where the search algorithm says the listings are.
If you want to talk through which part of Arlington makes sense for your situation, I'm happy to do that. I've watched this county evolve for three decades and I'm not going anywhere.
→ [Start here with a free home search across all Arlington neighborhoods.](https://candeecurriehomes.com)
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Candee Currie is an Associate Broker with TTR Sotheby's International Realty and a 30-year Arlington resident. She has completed over 240 transactions throughout Northern Virginia.
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FAQ
What are the best neighborhoods in Arlington VA?
It depends on your priorities. Families focused on schools gravitate toward Lyon Village, Waycroft-Woodlawn, and Cherrydale in North Arlington. Young professionals tend to prefer Clarendon, Ballston, and Court House for walkability and Metro access. South Arlington neighborhoods like Shirlington offer more value with strong lifestyle amenities.
What is the difference between North and South Arlington?
North Arlington is more residential and leafier, with larger single-family homes and some of the county's top-ranked schools. South Arlington includes the Rosslyn-Ballston Metro corridor and neighborhoods like Shirlington — more urban, more mixed-use, and generally more affordable.
Is Arlington VA a good place to buy a home?
Yes — Arlington consistently ranks among the best places to live in Virginia. Strong job market, excellent schools, Metro access to DC, and a genuine community identity. The tradeoff is price: it's one of the most expensive markets in Northern Virginia.
Which Arlington neighborhood is most affordable?
South Arlington — including Shirlington, Aurora Highlands, and Arlington Ridge — offers the best entry price points in the county. Condos along the Metro corridor (Virginia Square, Ballston) also offer more accessible price points than the single-family homes in North Arlington.
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⊜ Equal Housing Opportunity. Candee Currie Homes is pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We are committed to compliance with all federal, state, and local fair housing laws.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. Equal Housing Opportunity.